The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-13
Death of Bishop J. ). Gloasbrenner
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE-TIIE BURIAL-sER
MON OF BISHOP WEAYER.

SKETCH OF HIS LIFE-THE BURIAL--s ER
4 MON OF BISHOP WEAVER.
/ Rev. John Jacob Glossbrenner, d. d..
Bishop Emeritus of the United Brethren
Church, died on Friday morning last, at
his residence in Churchville, in this coun
ty, after a protracted and wasting illness
Last summer he was Frustrated from over
work and lay for several weeks, confined
to his room in Maryland. His great yea
in the holy cause to which his life had
been dedicated, would not allow his ardent
spirit to rest, and as he advanced IN years
he seemed to think that it was necessary
for him to press on in the service, even
beyond his physical strength to endure
| His mind and heart were fixed upon do
ing good to his fellow-men, and in every
relation Of life, by example and precept,
he preached the gospel of the Atonement.
His daily intercourse with his fellow
men was benedlcton. There was a Sc
rene trust, q joyous inspiration ever pres
ent on his countenance. which carried with
it a lesson of religious instruction and tes-
titled to the exalted aim and gentle, win
ming spirit, which controlled his inner be-
| ing. His moral courage was subllme-hls
christian character without q spot or blem-
ish-his intellectual attainments of the
highest order, and these blended with
/ large erGdition and naturally gentle,
kindly nature, fully equipped him for the
responsible and sacred duties which he
was called upon to discharge. For more
than half a century he proclaimed the un-
searchable riches Of the gospel OF Christ
"a span Of years comprehending many
changes in church organizations, civil gov
ernment aud relations. and sacred ties
and associations. But during the many
vicissitudes through which be passed,
| there was but one straight line OF Chris
tan duty for hinl-one guiding star to d.
rect his footsteps-one supreme object to
attain. His eye Of faith was ever upon.
the Cross-his thoughts, his laboEs and
his hopes were directed only to Calvary,
and how to lead immortal souls to the
Fountain of Life. His was a grand chris
| tian character, and the most enduring
monumental its beautiful proportions viii
be found in the loye and devotion OF the
thousands whom be WAS instrumental Id
guiding to a knowledge OF the Truth as
it is in Christ-affections which illumined
his descending pathway to the tomb, and
gilded the horizon of his setting sun. Verify
his works will follow him, and thousands
will rise up and call him blessed.
Bishop Glossbrenner was born in Hagers-
town, July "a, 1913, consequently he was
in his 74th year. He began his ministry
in the seventeenth year Of his age, and
Immediately Joined the Virginia Annual
Conference, Of which he remained mem
Der until death. He travelled the first
year on the Hagerstown circuit. At the
age OF twenty-five years he was elected
presiding elder, and in 1916 he was elected
bishop, to which Office he was reelected
at each succeeding general conference fer
period of forty years. AT the last Con
ference held May, 1855, owing to failing
health he was retired from tie active du-
ties of bishop and elected to the Office of
bishop emeritus, an office to which only
those can attain who have served the
church in the episcopal office for forty
years conseeutgely. The bishop was pre-
eminently popular throughout the entire
denomination, having served on all the
episcopal dioceses in the United States
and Canada. His pulpit ministrations
| were equally popular among other demon
nations. Bishop Glossbrenner married
fifty two years ago Miss Maria NJ.
Shuey. of Augusta county, Va. His wife
died two years ago.
Heleayes three daughters, one of whom
is the wife of Capt. Hanger, Churchyille,
Va; another is married to ReY. Prof. L.
A. Fox, of Roanoke College, Va. and the
other is the wife of Rev. j. II. Turner,
principal of Lutheryille Seminary, Mary
land, the Oldest daughter and wife of
Prof. w. 3. Yonce, Of Roanoke College,
| Virginia, having died some years ago.
! Bishop Glossbrenner inaugurated and
( pushed forward some Of the most impor
tant church measures and lived to see
much of the precious fruit of his minis
try in q growing church. He possessed a
lovely Christian spirit, a calm, clear judg-
ment and an earneat devotion to the
church seldom equaled. He was an ex-
celent preacher, often eloquent, and those
who heard him once always wanted to
hear him again. For four years, from
| 1865 to 1872 he was stationed in Baltimore
and his district extended from Tennessee
up into Canada. During one term be pre-
| sided oyer the district west Of the Mis-
sissippi, during WHICH time he was COM
PEELED to make 9 continuous stage ride
through the territoriesa at one time of over
| twelve hundred miles.
THE BURIAL.